Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-09-07
DICKS CONVERSION.

very small one. For gambling drink
ing, horse racing, cock fighting and all
other wickedness Dick Pitcher had not
his equal in Warren county, and that is
saying good deal In vain Sister Pitcher
prayed and eXhorted: the devil that had
taken up his abode in her son would not
be exercised, but grew mere rampant
daily.
On Saturday evening a stranger rode up
10 Sister Pitchers gate and asked if he
could get lodging for the night. Now.
Sister Pitcher made it a point never TO re-
fuse anybody shelter under her roof, unless
the applicant for hospitality Chanced TO he
very disrepntable looking body, and
then only because she thought her son
knew quite enough of such people and she
did not wish to extend his circle of ac-
quaintanceS in that direction. As this
stranger WAS highly respectable looking
man. he was invited To light, and when
he had done SO ushered into the hSuse.
while his horse was sent round to the
stable 10 be cared for
Sister Pitchers guest was n large, mid
die aged man, with fine, open counte-
nance and broad, intellectual forehead,
and looked like one who was not only
mentally strong but physically so-who
might, on occasion, shoulder sack of
corn and toss il into wagon with ease.
When supper was ready the hopeful
heir OF the Pitcher estatc-houses. land
and niggers, to say nothing Of horses.
mules. cows and lesser beastS-came in.
and, saluting the stranger, not over po-
litely. took his seat at the table.
Richard Pitcher was a youth about 1S
I Of lIx
they say, but with face on which the
animal passions had already made their
mark.
SAM he said. to the negro boy who
waited on the table. lyon git my fishin'
lines fixed up tonight, I'm gon' fishin'
! airly ter-mOrrer mornin'."
His mother looked at him sorrowfully
81 wouldn't do it eff l wus YOU Dicky,"
she said; ''ter-morrer's Sunday"
20, bosh"' was all the reply Dick made
to this appeal.
Are you fond Of fishing:" asked the
guest, looking at the youth.
Not pertic 'ier," was the reply; 'but
thar amt nothin' else feller kin do on
Sunday
We'll, am a fisherman myself" said
the other. and if you have no objections
Ill go with you Tomorrow"
You. mister" said Sister Pitcher, with
a look of astonshment.
Yes, ma'am; why nots Fishing is q
/ pleasant amusement
That's jes' es one thinks" said the old
lady; ION Y it 'pear0! TO me you was a
different kin man to that-you looks
mos like yer mought be preacher"
II am fisherman, ma am-first and
last a fisherman, IN season and out Of
season"
Nothing more was said on the subject
Sister Pitcher was evidently disappointed
in her guest. and, though she did not treat
him impolitely, had rs little to say to him as
il was possible without being unmannerly
Her son, however, manifested a suddenly
awakened interest in him, and sat up to
him, rs it were, entertaining him with
stories Of his own exploits in the arena of
Satan's circus, as the most agreeable way
he could think Of TO amuse him.
The next morning at daylight Dick and
his new friend sat down to q substantial
breakfast, prepared by Sam, and when
they had eaten their fill, started for a
creek about a mile and a half from the
house. the Legro following with the fish
ing tackle aud a suspicious looking black
bottle.
Soon they We're casting their lines in
the deep brown waters Of as pretty q
stream as ever flowed among the green
hills Of Georgia, and Dick and Sam landed
trout after trout and Dream after Dream.
The stranger, however. was not SO success
full; luck seemed to be all against him,
for he never got nibble. though he sat
watching his motionless float with the
greatest patience and good temper.
81 say. stranger" said Dick, laughing,
81 thought you We're u fisherman
so am, " said the stranger, ''and you
shall See, by and by, that shall take a
bigger fish than either Of you have taken
"A fish SO big that l will have to 60 down
into the water and wrestle with him."
''HO, ho"' laughed Dick; Il should
like to see thet thar fish,
just then the unsuccessful fisherman
pulled his line out of the water.
why, look thar" said Dick, you
amt got no bait on yer hook; 'tain't no
wonder yer don't ketch no fish"
The stranger said nothing, but laying
his pole on the ground went to little
hickory sapling that grew not far off,
from which he cut good stout switch,
trimming ii rs he walked back to where
the young man was standing.
Wat in ther thunder yer goin' to do
with thet;" asked Dick
Il am going TO catch my big fish," was
the leply: You shall see. my son.
In the meantime the negro who had
caught fish enough TO get tired of the
sport, had come to see what was going
forward. and he and his master stood
looking ON while the stranger continued
TO trim his switch. as if they expected to
Il
mystery.
Now" said the latter to Sam. as he
bent the switch two or three times to test
its elasticity, ''you 60 yonder and sit on
that log. boy, and don't you dare to move
till tell you''
Sam thought this was part of the con-
juration, and readily did as he was bid |
10 sooner was he seated ON the log than q |
strong hand seized Dick Pitcher bv tho |
lapels OF the coat and shook him until his |
teeth ratified against each other like cas-
tanets.
Now. young man." said the owner OF
that hand. giving his switch two or three
lourlshes over the astonished Mr. Pill
cher'S head. Il am about TO give Won a
lesson that will last you the balance of
your days. and before Dick could put in
a protest the switch was whistling about
his ears. and falling on his shoulders and
legs with astonishing rapidity
In vain he struggled and fought-he
did fight hardin vain he called on Sam
for assistance. He was as powerless as a
dog in the grip of a lion, and the negro
never stirred. sitting still. with his mouth
and eyes wide open, as if he We're looking
1t some wonderful feat of legerdemain.
There, said the castigator, when he
lad striped and cross striped his writhing
'ictim from head TO foot, that's what
7ou've been wanting this long while, il
what I've heard about you and what you
lave told me about yourself be true.
Jome, sir, down upon your knees"'-and ,
Dick Pitcher, utterly dazed, bewildered ,
nd demoralized, went down on his knees
$ If il was the most natural thing in tbe q
world for him TO do. =
The stranger then knelt down beside I
i'm and offered up an earnest petition to d
eaven, making Dick repeat after him,
II. hn -,